The 1997–98 season was Manchester United‘s sixth season in the Premier League, and their 23rd consecutive season in the top division of English football.
The campaign ended in disastrous fashion, having been pipped to the Premier League title by Arsenal, who managed a nine-match winning streak in the last two months of the season as well as being eliminated by league strugglers Barnsley and French outfit AS Monaco in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, respectively.
To make matters worse, United entered March still in contention for a League and European double after opening up an 11-point gap, regardless of the fact that nearest challengers Arsenal had three games in hand. This was manager Alex Ferguson‘s first trophyless season since the 1994–95 campaign.
Following the loss of talismanic captain and star striker, Eric Cantona at the end of the previous season, Ferguson acquired the services of England international Teddy Sheringham as a direct replacement on a three-year deal from Tottenham Hotspur for £3.5 million.
Cantona’s departure meant that Roy Keane was promoted as captain and a reshuffle of squad numbers occurred; David Beckham was awarded the coveted number 7 shirt and Sheringham was given Beckham’s former squad number 10. Henning Berg was the only other new face to arrive at Old Trafford from Blackburn Rovers for a £5 million fee at the start of the season.
Match worn shirts
Pre-season and friendlies
| Date | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 July 1997 | Thailand | A | 2–0 | Butt 55′, Thongsookkaew 86′ (o.g.) | 38,000 |
| 20 July 1997 | South China | A | 1–0 | Cruyff 57′ | 36,611 |
| 22 July 1997 | Urawa Red Diamonds | A | 2–1 | Solskjær (2) 13′, 39′ | 17,642 |
| 27 July 1997 | Internazionale | A<href=”#endnote_Inter” >[A] | 1–1(4–1p) | Butt 22′ | 49,718 |
| 30 July 1997 | Internazionale | H | 1–1 | Clegg 67′ | 48,579 |
| 5 August 1997 | Slavia Prague | H | 2–2 | Poborský 1′, Cooke 45′ | 22,075 |
| 5 October 1997 | Manchester City | A | 2–2 | Scholes 9′, Notman 84′ | 21,262 |
Colours: Green = Manchester United win; Yellow = draw; Red = opponents win.
FA Charity Shield
| Date | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 1997 | Chelsea | N | 1–1(4–2p) | Johnsen 57′ | 73,636 |
FA Premier League
| Date | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance | Leagueposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 August 1997 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 2–0 | Butt 82′, Vega 83′ (o.g.) | 26,359 | 1st |
| 13 August 1997 | Southampton | H | 1–0 | Beckham 79′ | 55,008 | 2nd |
| 23 August 1997 | Leicester City | A | 0–0 | 21,221 | 3rd | |
| 27 August 1997 | Everton | A | 2–0 | Beckham 29′, Sheringham 50′ | 40,079 | 2nd |
| 30 August 1997 | Coventry City | H | 3–0 | Cole 2′, Keane 72′, Poborský 90′ | 55,074 | 2nd |
| 13 September 1997 | West Ham United | H | 2–1 | Keane 21′, Scholes 75′ | 55,068 | 1st |
| 20 September 1997 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 0–0 | 25,000 | 1st | |
| 24 September 1997 | Chelsea | H | 2–2 | Scholes 35′, Solskjær 86′ | 55,163 | 2nd |
| 27 September 1997 | Leeds United | A | 0–1 | 39,952 | 2nd | |
| 4 October 1997 | Crystal Palace | H | 2–0 | Sheringham 18′, Hreiðarsson 30′ (o.g.) | 55,143 | 2nd |
| 18 October 1997 | Derby County | A | 2–2 | Sheringham 51′, Cole 83′ | 30,014 | 3rd |
| 25 October 1997 | Barnsley | H | 7–0 | Cole (3) 17′, 19′, 45′, Giggs (2) 43′, 57′, Scholes 59′, Poborský 80′ | 55,142 | 1st |
| 1 November 1997 | Sheffield Wednesday | H | 6–1 | Sheringham (2) 13′, 63′, Newsome 20′ (o.g.), Cole 39′, Solskjær (2) 41′, 75′ | 55,259 | 1st |
| 9 November 1997 | Arsenal | A | 2–3 | Sheringham (2) 33′, 40′ | 38,205 | 1st |
| 22 November 1997 | Wimbledon | A | 5–2 | Butt 48′, Beckham (2) 67′, 75′, Scholes 81′, Cole 85′ | 26,309 | 1st |
| 30 November 1997 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 4–0 | Solskjær (2) 17′, 52′, Henchoz 59′ (o.g.), Kenna 84′ (o.g.) | 55,175 | 1st |
| 6 December 1997 | Liverpool | A | 3–1 | Cole (2) 51′, 74′, Beckham 70′ | 41,027 | 1st |
| 15 December 1997 | Aston Villa | H | 1–0 | Giggs 52′ | 55,151 | 1st |
| 21 December 1997 | Newcastle United | A | 1–0 | Cole 67′ | 36,767 | 1st |
| 26 December 1997 | Everton | H | 2–0 | Berg 14′, Cole 35′ | 41,027 | 1st |
| 28 December 1997 | Coventry City | A | 2–3 | Solskjær 31′, Sheringham 48′ | 23,054 | 1st |
| 10 January 1998 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 2–0 | Giggs (2) 44′, 68′ | 55,281 | 1st |
| 19 January 1998 | Southampton | A | 0–1 | 15,241 | 1st | |
| 31 January 1998 | Leicester City | H | 0–1 | 55,156 | 1st | |
| 7 February 1998 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 1–1 | Cole 85′ | 55,156 | 1st |
| 18 February 1998 | Aston Villa | A | 2–0 | Beckham 83′, Giggs 89′ | 39,372 | 1st |
| 21 February 1998 | Derby County | H | 2–0 | Giggs 19′, Irwin 71′ (pen.) | 55,170 | 1st |
| 28 February 1998 | Chelsea | A | 1–0 | P. Neville 31′ | 35,411 | 1st |
| 7 March 1998 | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 0–2 | 39,427 | 1st | |
| 11 March 1998 | West Ham United | A | 1–1 | Scholes 66′ | 25,892 | 1st |
| 14 March 1998 | Arsenal | H | 0–1 | 55,174 | 1st | |
| 28 March 1998 | Wimbledon | H | 2–0 | Johnsen 83′, Scholes 90′ | 55,306 | 1st |
| 6 April 1998 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 3–1 | Cole 56′, Scholes 73′, Beckham 90′ | 30,547 | 1st |
| 10 April 1998 | Liverpool | H | 1–1 | Johnsen 12′ | 55,171 | 1st |
| 18 April 1998 | Newcastle United | H | 1–1 | Beckham 38′ | 55,194 | 2nd |
| 27 April 1998 | Crystal Palace | A | 3–0 | Scholes 6′, Butt 22′, Cole 84′ | 26,180 | 2nd |
| 4 May 1998 | Leeds United | H | 3–0 | Giggs 6′, Irwin 31′ (pen.), Beckham 59′ | 55,167 | 2nd |
| 10 May 1998 | Barnsley | A | 2–0 | Cole 6′, Sheringham 77′ | 18,694 | 2nd |
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 68 | 33 | +35 | 78 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 73 | 26 | +47 | 77 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 68 | 42 | +26 | 65 |
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Points allocation: Three points awarded for a win; one for a drawn match; none for a loss.
FA Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 January 1998 | Third round | Chelsea | A | 5–3 | Beckham (2) 23′, 28′, Cole (2) 45′, 66′, Sheringham 74′ | 34,792 |
| 24 January 1998 | Fourth round | Walsall | H | 5–1 | Cole (2) 10′, 66′, Solskjær (2) 39′, 68′, Johnsen 74′ | 54,699 |
| 15 February 1998 | Fifth Round | Barnsley | H | 1–1 | Sheringham 42′ | 54,700 |
| 25 February 1998 | Fifth RoundReplay | Barnsley | A | 2–3 | Sheringham 57′, Cole 82′ | 18,655 |
League Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 October 1997 | Third round | Ipswich Town | A | 0–2 | 22,173 |
UEFA Champions League
Group stage
| Date | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance | Groupposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 September 1997 | Košice | A | 3–0 | Irwin 30′, Berg 62′, Cole 88′ | 9,950 | 2nd |
| 1 October 1997 | Juventus | H | 3–2 | Sheringham 38′, Scholes 69′, Giggs 90′ | 53,428 | 1st |
| 22 October 1997 | Feyenoord | H | 2–1 | Scholes 32′, Irwin 73′ (pen.) | 53,188 | 1st |
| 5 November 1997 | Feyenoord | A | 3–1 | Cole (3) 31′, 44′, 75′ | 51,000 | 1st |
| 27 November 1997 | Košice | H | 3–0 | Cole 40′, Faktor 85′ (o.g.), Sheringham 90′ | 53,535 | 1st |
| 10 December 1997 | Juventus | A | 0–1 | 47,786 | 1st |
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 15 |
| Juventus | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 12 |
| Feyenoord | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | −2 | 9 |
| Košice | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 |
Points allocation: Three points awarded for a win; one for a drawn match; none for a loss.
Knockout phase
| Date | Round | Opponents | H/A | ResultF–A | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 March 1998 | Quarter-finalFirst leg | AS Monaco | A | 0–0 | 15,000 | |
| 18 March 1998 | Quarter-finalSecond leg | AS Monaco | H | 1–1 | Solskjær 53′ | 53,683 |
Squad statistics
| No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | Discipline | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | |||
| 1 | GK | Peter Schmeichel | 32 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Gary Neville | 34 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44(1) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Denis Irwin | 23(2) | 2 | 3(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 33(4) | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | David May | 7(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9(2) | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Ronny Johnsen | 18(4) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 28(4) | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Gary Pallister | 33 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | David Beckham | 34(3) | 9 | 3(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 45(5) | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Nicky Butt | 31(2) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40(2) | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Andy Cole | 31(2) | 15 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6(1) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 42(3) | 25 | 5 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Teddy Sheringham | 28(3) | 9 | 2(1) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 38(4) | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Ryan Giggs | 28(1) | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 36(1) | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | Phil Neville | 24(6) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34(8) | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 13 | MF | Brian McClair | 2(11) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(14) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | Jordi Cruyff | 3(2) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 4(4) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | Karel Poborský | 3(7) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(9) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | Roy Keane (c) | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | GK | Raimond van der Gouw | 4(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Paul Scholes | 28(3) | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 6(1) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 37(5) | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 15(7) | 6 | 1(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19(11) | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Henning Berg | 23(4) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30(6) | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | Erik Nevland | 0(1) | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | Ben Thornley | 0(5) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(5) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | John O’Kane | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | GK | Kevin Pilkington | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | Chris Casper | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | Terry Cooke | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Philip Mulryne | 1 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | Michael Appleton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF | Ronnie Wallwork | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | John Curtis | 3(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | Michael Clegg | 1(2) | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | GK | Nick Culkin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | Michael Twiss | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | DF | Wes Brown | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | FW | Alex Notman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | Jonathan Greening | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | DF | Danny Higginbotham | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |